Short Line Railroads

American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association represents the interests of the 603 small railroads that connect America with the world.

[Short Line Railroads @ASLRRA]

Most scenic, most patriotic -- our members continue to hit it out of the park!

Congratulations to ASLRRA member holding companies R. J. Corman Railroad Group and Watco for being named two of America's Most Patriotic Companies in 2026!

They were chosen based on evaluations in multiple categories including support for military personnel and veterans and corporate social responsibility.

TBH we feel like proud parents. We're so honored for the opportunity to work on behalf of amazing organizations like these.

https://t.co/wTJwsWBulS

[Short Line Railroads @ASLRRA]

Good news? Bad news? We'll let you decide...

The deadline for the Federal Railroad Administration's CRISI grant program has been extended by three days, to June 25. You now have 72 extra hours to complete your application. See the updated NOFO here: https://t.co/lXluIZOwVV

Remember -- we've got multiple resources to help you cross the CRISI application finish line. These include:
👉 A CRISI grant application webpage: https://t.co/pOzYhW4auY
👉 Recorded webinars with FRA representatives: https://t.co/MY5VMJvu5m
👉 Member Discount Program Grant Writing Preferred Provider Colliers: https://t.co/v7Mch8riC7

[Short Line Railroads @ASLRRA]

Scenic train rides are THE BEST (in our humble opinion) and ASLRRA members offer some of the nation's top excursions according to USA Today's 2026 Readers' Choice Awards.

Congratulations to all our members (or member-operated railroads) named in the top 10 for Best Scenic Train Ride!

Adirondack Railroad
Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad @PotomacEagle
Skunk Train
Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

Even if you don't live near one of these top 10 honorees, you probably have a tourist railroad in your area. This summer, consider a indulging in a picturesque train journey. They're amazing!

https://t.co/4GatvZX58M

[Short Line Railroads @ASLRRA]

Welcome to new member Ondas Networks!

@OndasNetworks develops proprietary, software-based wireless technology that helps short line and regional railroads modernize legacy communications infrastructure and extend reliable connectivity across their networks. Its multi-patented FullMAX™ platform, built on the IEEE 802.16 standard, enables applications such as real-time wayside monitoring, predictive maintenance, and improved operational visibility using spectrum railroads already own.

https://t.co/7mZhfeFA0X

[Short Line Railroads @ASLRRA]

Our staff doesn't just advocate for short line railroads and provide support services for short line railroads -- they also ride short line railroads!

Recently Sabrina, our SVP of education and business services, traveled with friends on the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway's bike train, operated by ASLRRA member Reading & Northern Railroad. On the excursion, everyone's bicycles are loaded into gondola cars and the group rides the train through Lehigh Gorge State Park to the town of White Haven then bikes back to Jim Thorpe.

Sabrina reports it was a beautiful trip! We have many freight rail members who also operate excursions, and we have associate members that only do excursions and scenic rides. We encourage you to check out one near you -- maybe you'll see an ASLRRA staffer there too!

[Short Line Railroads @ASLRRA]

Welcome to new member API Heat Transfer!

API Heat Transfer, headquartered in Buffalo, NY, provides rugged thermal systems designed to endure relentless vibration, extreme temperatures, and continuous duty cycles of locomotive operations. API Heat Transfer General ThermoDynamics & Airtech has been meeting that challenge for over 25 years with mechanically bonded radiators, oil coolers, intercoolers, and EMD and GE replacement cores engineered for long service life and immediate availability.

https://t.co/lSNj7bNLSN

[Short Line Railroads @ASLRRA]

We extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends and former colleagues of Kel MacKavanagh. Kel was a staunch short line advocate, long-time New Jersey Short Line Railroad Association secretary and very familiar face at ASLRRA events. We tried to find a photo of him at our annual conferences but as the de facto event photographer he most often was behind the camera, not in front of it.

Kel shared so much of his time and expertise with ASLRRA, its members and other short line railroad professionals. He will be deeply missed.

https://t.co/gImQNXEvWG

[Short Line Railroads @ASLRRA]

Welcome to new member Railpower!

Railpower has long been a recognized name in the rail industry, with a legacy rooted in pioneering hybrid and low-emission locomotive technology. In 2026, Railpower, Inc. is launching a bold new chapter for the brand by building and delivering zero emission hydrogen switching locomotives to the short-line and switching sectors.

https://t.co/WTf0v6a7g3

[Short Line Railroads @ASLRRA]

Calling all our members!

We know many of you are on the cutting edge of our industry, and many of you are small businesses hustling every day to make a difference in the freight rail space. Check out this Patriot Pitch Competition! The @SBAgov is looking to recognize and reward our nation's innovators and entrepreneurs. Submissions are due June 10.

https://t.co/s6lgc51Xss

[Short Line Railroads @ASLRRA]

Welcome to new member George Allen Construction!

George Allen Construction (GAC), based in Mokena, Illinois, provides specialized rail contracting, design-build and CMGC services to freight and passenger railroads nationwide. Their expertise encompasses complex infrastructure projects, including intermodal terminals, fueling facilities, track construction and historic station restorations. GAC executes these works with a strict focus on safety and regulatory compliance while ensuring uninterrupted rail operations.

https://t.co/OmWJn4MVhE

[Short Line Railroads @ASLRRA]

Caught you looking! 👀

We were doing our usual comms metrics check and saw that people are going to our career opportunities page and following links to our members' employment sites. You know that feeling when you make something for someone and then they actually like it and use it? So. Awesome.

So we just wanted to remind anyone who hasn't seen it that we have an industry career opportunities page that
🚂 Tells what it's like to work in the short line industry
🔗 Features links to railroad member employment pages
🔗 Features links to rail education providers
🔗 Features links to supplier member pages (including tourist, excursion and transit railroads)
https://t.co/EthspD7VbA

Thanks to our HR Committee for being this project's driving force! And remember, we update the page as needed whenever a member reaches out. So your organization can join the fun any time!

[Short Line Railroads @ASLRRA]

Welcome to new member Tunnel Vision Pipeline Services!

Tunnel Vision Pipeline Services provides engineered, custom trenchless culvert and drainage rehabilitation solutions to rail clients across North America. Tunnel Vision’s low-impact, rapid solutions can save millions while keeping lines active.

https://t.co/Z33VZqzqTv

[Short Line Railroads @ASLRRA]

Welcome to new member Chesapeake Cooling Solutions!

Chesapeake Cooling Solutions LLC is a diesel engine heat exchanger and emissions specialty shop. Their team specializes in oil coolers, radiators, charge air coolers, after-coolers, condensers, DPF filters, DOC filters, SCR filters, EGR filters and fuel tanks for all engines and manufacturers.

https://t.co/aJDRLjaxkK

[Short Line Railroads @ASLRRA]

NGL, they're both right.

[Short Line Railroads @ASLRRA]

Many, many congratulations to ASLRRA's SVP-Law and General Counsel Sarah Yurasko for being named a winner of the 2026 Rail Mentor Awards!!

Anyone who's worked with Sarah knows she's a sharer, not a keeper, of information and she wants to help everyone grow and succeed. We're so happy to honor her!

https://t.co/oVY8bFJmme

[Short Line Railroads @ASLRRA]

ANOTHER record-breaking year!

A record 👉418👈 ASLRRA member railroads earned a Jake Award for a lower-than-industry-average injury frequency rate, based on @USDOTFRA data.

Of those awards, another record 👉371👈 earned a Jake Award with Distinction for ZERO reportable injuries in 2025.

And what makes this award even harder to achieve is the fact that the industry-average injury rate DROPPED in 2025 to 2.24 per 200,000 person-hours worked. That rate's dropped 3% each of the past two years, yet in both those years our members set records for the number of Jake Award and Jake Award with Distinction winners.

Is the rail industry safe and getting safer? YES! And it's all thanks to the short line railroaders who make safety a priority every day. CONGRATULATIONS to all of them!

[Short Line Railroads @ASLRRA]

Welcome to new member MERMEC!

MERMEC delivers flexible, state-of-the-art measurement solutions for track and rolling stock that enhance safety, reduce costs, and increase asset availability. Their diverse portfolio ranges from Turn-Key Railroad Inspection Vehicles as selected by BART to cost-efficient "Measurement as a Service" projects. These tailor-made solutions provide railroads with the accurate data and "Knowledge on Demand" necessary to optimize both infrastructure and transport operations.

https://t.co/oBuBdxHpM1

[Short Line Railroads @ASLRRA]

Railroading demands serious technical expertise, and staying sharp on the rules and regs is non-negotiable.

That's why we bring in-person training to small railroad employees who need it most. This week, railroaders gathered in Indianapolis for our GCOR Training Seminar with industry experts Mark Vaughn and JR Gelnar.

If you're looking to level-up your knowledge, consider attending one of our events! Besides learning a whole lot, you can connect with other industry professionals who do what you do. It's a fantastic opportunity!

https://t.co/z6PqPxgJX8

[Short Line Railroads @ASLRRA]

Welcome to new member Mokena Illinois Railroad Company!

The Mokena Illinois Railroad Company (MIRR), a quarter-mile short line established in 1994, anchors Ozinga Bros., Inc.’s primary Illinois ready-mix hub while supporting a consistent flow of inbound aggregates for more than three decades. Positioned for growth, MIRR is served by Iowa Interstate Railroad and strategically located along the I-80 corridor—minutes from four major interstate interchanges—offering over 20 acres of prime, rail-served land for transloading, storage, and future industrial development.

https://t.co/fU5prWiH8O

[Short Line Railroads @ASLRRA]

Thank you Matt! & Welcome Justin!

At our Annual Conference we welcomed our new Board Chair Justin Broyles (right) with the ceremonial passing of the spike maul!

We are grateful to outgoing chair Matt Walsh for his leadership and guidance, and we look forward to this next chapter.

See our press release: https://t.co/RTG97BgQ5d